Climate & Displacement: West and Central Africa’s displacement crisis is worsening fast, with UNHCR putting forcibly displaced and stateless people at nearly 20 million (as of April 2026), and the Sahel core still the epicenter—Mali, Niger and especially Burkina Faso are driving the surge. Sahel Risk Watch: UN projections for the wider Sahel Plus (including Mauritania) point to 5.7 million forcibly displaced and stateless people by end-2026, up from 4 million in Sept 2025. Desert Locusts: Morocco is facing the highest pressure from a locust upsurge, with FAO reporting large numbers of immature winged adults and major control operations—Algeria, Mauritania and Sahel countries are preparing for possible summer movements. Water Security: The African Water Forum in Chad urged urgent action as climate change and falling storage threaten drinking water access, with Mauritania among attending countries. Health & Regional Cooperation: Somalia’s health minister joined a Nouakchott forum on health investment, focusing on stronger financing and resilient healthcare systems. Tourism Investment: IFC committed up to $15m to expand Mauritania’s Sheraton Nouakchott Hotel, aiming to boost business tourism and local jobs. Energy Infrastructure: The African Atlantic Gas Pipeline moves forward, with an environmental and social impact assessment and a major Morocco segment that includes receiving offshore gas from Mauritania. Biodiversity & Coasts: Spain’s revived plan to restore the Mediterranean monk seal includes cooperation with Mauritania, Portugal and Morocco, with a technical ecological and social assessment underway.